Winter Adventures: The Travel Do’s and Do Not's

How a mechanical issue, a single pair of underwear, and an unexpected snow storm changed my mind about winter hiking.

I am an optimist at heart. Which explains why I attempted to get to Moab to complete the Mighty Five THREE times while stranded at the Denver airport.

It’s story time.

In the two years since I discovered a passion for hiking, I have played it fairly safe in terms of seasons. Early spring and mid-Fall have been my favorite times of year to hike due to a decrease in crowds, mild weather, and more affordable airfare. However, I made a commitment this year to try the more popular season of Summer and adventurous one of winter; kicking 2023 off with a winter trek to Moab, where I planned to hike Arches, Capital Reef, and Canyonlands National Parks.

Destiny had other plans though because I never made it past the Denver airport.

In my defense, I had been tracking the weather like a hawk to prey for weeks leading up to this trip. I had also done some research on average temps both in Denver, which is where my layover was, and in Moab – my final destination. While January is a winter month, Denver typically doesn’t see a ton of snow until February-March, and Moab barely gets a dusting at the start of each year. Because I had research on my side, I was incredibly confident that my flight would be a breeze. So much so, that I even packed my winter jacket in my checked luggage and left my more complete carry on toiletry kit at home. Cue regret.

By the morning of my flight, the temps had shifted dramatically but the forecast predicted nothing more than light flurries. And when I arrived in Denver, the sky was slightly overcast but bright. The “On Time” indicator on my United Airlines app reaffirmed my intended plans, and I sailed through the terminals with a smile on my face and poorly packed backpack on my shoulders.

Boarding the flight from Denver to Moab was incredibly exciting. I was giddy with anticipation; knowing I was just a mere hour and 20 minutes away from breathtaking Utah. I could almost hear my boots treading across red dirt and feel my legs burning from switchbacks leading to the grandest canyon views. My seatbelt was fastened, my in-flight movie was prepped to go, and my heart was full.

The vibrating alert from my phone didn’t cause panic to set in initially. Neither did the moment the pilot came on air to inform us of a mechanical issue with the plane. We had two options: 1. Deplane and board another aircraft that was ready to go or, 2. Wait 15 minutes for the plane to be serviced. Option two was decided upon by the airline crew… but the time was severely mismanaged. After over an hour and a half on the runway waiting for the plane to be fixed, all passengers were instructed to get off and board another airplane.

No problem, right? Wrong.

Within those 1.5 hours of nothing but waiting, the weather turned, and a massive early snowstorm was headed straight for Denver. So, after reboarding another plane and waiting another 30 minutes, we were told the flight was canceled – the only flight available from Denver to Moab that day.

Working with customer service at United was beyond painful, and I was disappointed in the lack of accountability and support for the stranded passengers. There were no vouchers offered, no option to be rerouted, and very little consistent communication. While many accepted defeat and began looking for a feasibly comfortable area in the airport to spend the night, I cut my financial losses and booked a room nearby after rebooking myself for a flight the next day.

Waking up to over seven inches of snow the next morning was so disheartening. But most flights were indicating “on-time” and I was determined to reach Moab.

I don’t know that I have ever experienced so much stress watching airplanes line up on the tarmac in an attempt to take off as I did on this trip. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows at the Denver airport provided a clear view of how everyone’s day was about to go. The “on-time” indicators slowly began to switch to “delayed” or “canceled”, and with each plane that turned around on the runway to head back to a gate, my heart sank a little lower. A second cancelation led me right back to Customer Service, where I attempted a THIRD flight out… only to be told it was completely booked.

So, on a Wednesday, just one day after flying in from Tampa, I boarded a flight back home; wearing the same exact clothes I departed in – just a little less fresh.

In all of my years of flying, this was the first experience where everything that could have gone wrong, did. But with this came some valuable lessons that I know will better prepare me, and perhaps you, in the future. So here are my Do’s and Do Not’s of Winter Travel:

My Top Five Do’s

1. Do Try to Avoid a Checked Luggage. Knowing you have your essentials with you provides so much comfort and security. When flights are cancelled and you are stranded or rerouted, there is no guarantee that you will have access to your luggage right away. You will either spend hours sifting through dozens of bags that look like yours OR trust that baggage handlers will track your bag down and put it on the correct flight.

2. Do Pack an Extra of Everything. If checking a bag is unavoidable, pack an extra pair of undergarments, bottoms, and top in your carryon or personal bag. Being forced to wear the same outfit after a day of travel is the pits.

3. Do Carry an Essential Toiletry Kit. Do you enjoy slathering hotel lotion on your face? Like going to bed with yuck mouth? I don’t either. Always find room in your carryon or personal bag for a hygiene kit that contains travel-sized bottles of your favorite nighttime routine items.

4. Do Consider Paying a Little More for a Direct Flight. I love saving money as much as the next person but if paying a little more helps avoid connections and, therefore, possible delays and cancellations – GO FOR IT. The peace of mind and avoidance of travel disruptions is worth every penny.

5. Do Select a Hotel with Perks. If stranded and not willing to sleep in an airport (who can blame you?), look for a hotel with some great perks to ease the stress. There are many hotel chains that offer free breakfast, welcome hours with snacks, and complimentary shuttle services to the airport. I’d like to give a personal shoutout to Staybridge in Denver, who upgraded me to a suite, had wine ready for drinking, provided a great breakfast, and shuttled me back to the airport in a timely manner.

My Top Five Do Not’s

1. Do Not Settle for Less than Exemplary Customer Care. Customer service agents get overloaded when delays and cancellations occur, but that doesn’t mean you should be treated poorly. It is ok to demand what you are owed – whether it’s a refund or a voucher or a flight credit. Remember to get the value of what you paid for and don’t give up when told: “there’s nothing we can do”.

2. Do Not Pre-Book or Pre-Pay for Anything that Can’t be Canceled. Reservations can be hard to get out of without penalty, but there are many platforms that are willing to make exceptions in cases of flight cancellations. My personal favorite site for hotels is Booking.com.

3. Do Not Pack Your Coat in Your Checked Bag. I feel like this is something I only do but if you do too… just don’t. You never know when you need an extra layer of warmth or a makeshift pillow.

4. Do Not Lose Your Patience. A canceled flight throws everything off its axis, which means lots of phones calls, online chats, and long hold times. Stay calm and remember that kindness gets you so much further than cursing.

5. Do Not Turn on Each Other. If flying with a companion, don’t channel your frustrations on one another. Remember that you’re in it together and try to make the most out of an unexpected situation.

Will I attempt another winter hiking trip? I highly doubt it in this moment. For me, the unpredictability with the elements just isn’t worth it. However, I may be convinced to try again after the sting of this year’s fiasco fades.

Until then, I am looking forward to planning Moab in the Summer or Fall, where I will connect once again with burnished red rock, golden sunsets, and vast vibrant valleys.

Happy Hiking!